The Good Ship Illustration

How do you stop the niggly voice 'my work isn't good enough' from interfering with your creative confidence? WELCOME to our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice.  This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We've answered questions and created actionable steps for each episode. Wa...

Draw draw draw, then draw some more. PLUS we answer the brilliant question: "...my schedule is not allowing me the time I would like. Can I really find my style if my time is limited? WELCOME to part 2 of our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice.  This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We&a...

Bask in your weirdness. What to do if the voice that’s emerging isn’t the one you like? WELCOME to our 5-part mini-series, all about finding your creative voice.  This week we're dropping one episode a day, where we tackle that ol' chestnut: how to find your creative voice. We've answered questions, and created actionable steps for each episode. Want a fillable workbook? YOU'RE...

We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career Here are 3 things you need to know: At The Good Ship, our big mission is to help illustrators and image-makers navigate a creative career. There are 3 of us - Tania, Helen and Katie - and we are the Goldilocks (3 bears!) of illustration, covering 3 areas and eras of the industry. We believe your c...

We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career Here are 3 things you need to know: At The Good Ship, our big mission is to help illustrators and image-makers navigate a creative career. There are 3 of us - Tania, Helen and Katie - and we are the Goldilocks (3 bears!) of illustration, covering 3 areas and eras of the industry. We believe your c...

We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career Here are 3 things you need to know: At The Good Ship, our big mission is to help illustrators and image-makers navigate a creative career. There are 3 of us - Tania, Helen and Katie - and we are the Goldilocks (3 bears!) of illustration, covering 3 areas and eras of the industry. We believe your c...

We’re here to offer no-nonsense advice for illustrators and image-makers navigating a creative career Here are 3 things you need to know: At The Good Ship, our big mission is to help illustrators and image-makers navigate a creative career. There are 3 of us - Tania, Helen and Katie - and we are the Goldilocks (3 bears!) of illustration, covering 3 areas and eras of the industry. We believe your c...

Wahooo, another picture book podcast! The Picture Book Course If you're listening to this and you're interested in making picture books, you've listened at a brilliant time... The Picture Book Course doors are now open!!  CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE! It's an eight week course and the cover creating your own picture book. Making your best picture book work ever. We'd love to h...

We had a brilliant chat with Good Ship pal, Emma Carlisle on aaall of the things: The importance of bad drawings Tackling social media as an illustrator Studying an MA in illustration Finding out what you're interested in PICTURE BOOKS!  Mental health and creativity Drawing from life and filling sketchbooks Getting discovered ...aaand lots more  Meet Emma and learn more about her work here ht...

In this episode we answer the questions: How do I set goals as an illustrator? Am I allowed to illustrate existing book covers? What makes a "good" illustration? Contracts!? The business side of illustration and design. 🚢🚢🚢 Right now we have two courses, and the doors open again very soon... The Picture Book Course Find out more about The Picture Book Course here !  Find Your Creative...

In this episode we answer the questions: Analogue vs digital drawing - how to deal with feeling torn between the two How to store your artwork (ahhh that old chestnut) Do I HAVE to work digitally to be a picture book illustrator nowadays? 🚢🚢🚢 Right now we have two courses, and the doors open again very soon... The Picture Book Course Find out more about The Picture Book Course here ! Find Your...

In this quick fire interview-style episode we answer the questions: What was your most horrific client experience? What's your favourite subject to draw? Favourite snack + subject combo... Most unusual client request? Life drawing: the good, the bad and the ugly. Have you ever gone against some advice and it worked out well? What outfit makes you feel most illustrator-y? PLUS Tania talks abou...

In this episode we answer all of your portfolio questions: Do I need one!? What to put in your illustration portfolio. How to reach out to potential illustration clients. Should I follow the current illustration trends in my portfolio? 🚢🚢🚢 Right now we have two courses, and the doors open again very soon... The Picture Book Course Find out more about The Picture Book Course here ! Find Your Cre...

In this episode we answer the questions: How do I get started as an illustrator (even if you're not a young thing fresh outta art school.) How to get your first big break as an illustrator. Do I need an illustration agent to be successful? 🚢🚢🚢 Right now we have two courses, and the doors open again very soon... The Picture Book Course Find out more about The Picture Book Course here ! Find...

In this episode we answer the questions: How do I know if I'm an illustrator or not? How to navigate "The Gap" (see quote below!) How to keep the magic and energy in your finished work The Gap “Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple y...

In this episode, we talk about imposter syndrome, authenticity, getting excited about your own work, and how to be consistent. Bonus: how to eat an elephant 🚢🚢🚢 Want to be part of an online community, full of fellow creatives? Build your illustration career and make your best creative work ever? It's time to discover how good it feels to truly be yourself in your work! Bask in your weirdne...

Our top tips for choosing the best drawing materials. (Don’t let materials trip you up - they're a distraction) Start where you are, use what you have. Fancy materials can freeze you up / feel like too much pressure Your choice of drawing materials can help you blast through a pesky creative block. Rough and ready! Cheap! Easy to grab! The free audio drawing guide we mention, ‘The Sketchbooke...

Avoiding the comparison trap In this episode we answer the questions: Is there room for me in the illustration industry? How can I find time to create my work!? 🚢🚢🚢 Want to be part of an online community, full of fellow creatives? Build your illustration career and make your best creative work ever? It's time to discover how good it feels to truly be yourself in your work! Bask in your wei...

This is the first episode of our podcast! Helen Stephens, Tania Willis, and Katie Chappell are the crew at The Good Ship illustration, and this episode is all about getting to know us. Learn more about The Good Ship Illustration and how we each found our creative voices. Grab a cuppa, listen while you draw, and let us know what you think. (Instagram is our favourite place to hang out. We're @...